Gifts with Meaning: The Cle

This is a sponsored post about Gifts with Meaning for James Avery. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is The Cle. She passed away in 2012, having been born a stray cat in Spartanburg, SC 15 years prior. My family adopted her and named her after the ancient Egyptian queen. But Cle was more than a pet, as most pets are. She was a family member with a fierce personality and incredible quirks that meant she was the basis for our family inside jokes, anecdotes, and memories. Even five years post mortem, my Mom, Dad, brother and I (and even husband) use her name as a word for affirmations, agreements, love and missing each other.

Over Cle’s lifetime and beyond, we’ve given each other gifts with nods to her (and our current cats, too) and her strange tendency to reach for anything in her vicinity. Cle had extremely long legs with deft paws, and could stealthily snatch a pop tart right out of your hand. We called this reach the “Cle Claw.” Mom slipped this Cle Claw-inspired magnet last year in my stocking that I keep out to think of our family. Chase got a cat paw shaped back scratcher, and my brother cat-related gag gifts. But they always make us laugh, smile and think of each other, not just the Cle.

Last Christmas was very special for another reason, as it was the first year my family (both while married and unmarried) were together for the holidays since I was married. We had such an incredible time blending traditions and celebrating new ones that I invited them all back for a repeat of the fun this year. I’ve even got some incredible Cle Claw related presents to share… but I can’t spoil these gifts with meaning because my family actually reads these posts!

A sweet gift that came across my radar this year was a sterling silver cat charm from James Avery. Both my Mom and I collect charms, which remind us of places we’ve visited or our great accomplishments in life. I have charms from my graduations, the birth of my children, my wedding, and places across the world that I’ve vacationed. Shouldn’t it be natural that I also have charms to remind me of family and make me smile at the same time?

These charms from James Avery are more than just jewelry. This specific cat charm is a symbol of my family. It relates to both the pets we love and the family humor that keeps us together. When we say, “Cle” to each other, it really means, “I love you!”, “I totally agree,” or “I miss you.” I set this little coral bag under the tree for myself so I can remember what my family means to me. Perhaps something in their collection speaks to you in the same way?

For more inspiring James Avery stories and the jewelry that helps tell them, such as my cat charm, visit My James Avery Page and share your own stories with #MyJamesAvery and #ACharmedChristmas. Thanks to the generosity of James Avery, I’m able to give away a cat charm just like mine to you! One reader will win a gift-wrapped sterling silver cat charm shipped right to them in time for the holidays. Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Happy Holidays!